Retirement Today New Year 2021 by Amra Media Solutions

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R E T I R E M E N T

www.retirement-today.co.uk

The magazine for pre and post retirement

FINANCE•LIFESTYLE•TRAVEL•CULTURE•GARDENING•HEALTH•RECIPES

New Year 2021 Issue 105 £2.90

A NEW HOME FOR w living o l a g f bun The f uture o

2021

A brand new bungalow and a gift worth up to £5,000* We all have a list in our head of things we’d love to do, places we’d love to go, the life we’d love to live. But we put it oﬀ as the time never seems quite right. Well, 2021 is the perfect time to take the plunge and make the move! At RoyaleLife we oﬀer a range of brand new, fully furnished luxury bungalows in a choice of stunning locations across the UK, exclusively for the over 45s. Whether you’re dreaming of a new home by the sea, or you’re looking for country walks leading from your front door, we have the perfect new home for you. And, if you make the move during our New Year Promotion, you can choose a gift worth up to £5,000 with our compliments.*

Your choice of gift

Voucher* £5,000 Discount

with our

Home Part Exchange Scheme†

Against a new or used car or commercial vehicle exclusively from HENDY

We will also pay:

£2,500 Cash Back

• Your agent fees • Your solicitors’ fees • Plus there’s NO Stamp Duty to pay!

At RoyaleLife we’re open and want to make sure you can make the move safely your way 1. Book your Covid-safe V.I.P visit. At RoyaleLife the safety of our customers and staﬀ is of the utmost importance to us, so we want to assure customers that we are still oﬀering Covid-safe V.I.P viewings across all our developments. See our website for details. 2. Book an exclusive Virtual Tour. Enjoy a personal Zoom development tour and show home walk through with one of our sales advisors, all from the comfort of your own sofa. 3. Join a Group Virtual Open Day Event with a small number of other customers on a Zoom development tour and show home walk through with one of our sales advisors, again from the comfort of your own home.

Bungalows start from £165,000 75 YEARS

Call now to make an appointment on 01945 223 621 or visit royalelife.com/viewings

The UK’s largest bungalow provider

*Customers may choose one from the available gifts which will be awarded upon completion of the new bungalow purchase with RoyaleLife. This promotion is available on new sales starts from Sunday 1st November that complete on or before 28th February 2021. The Hendy Group discount voucher may be redeemed against the purchase of selected new or used cars or commercial vehicles worth over £5,000. Voucher valid until 31st December 2021. Voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any other Hendy Group offer, discount or promotion. Customers that opt for the cash back will receive a cheque from RoyaleLife to the value of £2,500 within 10 days of a completed bungalow purchase. The offers are non-transferable and no cash alternative is available for the Hendy Group discount voucher. †Terms & Conditions: RoyaleLife Home Part Exchange Scheme offers 100% market value based on two independent agent valuations. Offers subject to survey and clear legal title. All properties are considered on an individual basis for suitability. E&OE. Details correct at time of print.

CONTENTS

4 Money and Budgeting

When you retire it is important that your money continues to work hard for you, so that you’ve got the financial security and flexibility you need.

WELCOME TO RETIREMENT TODAY MAGAZINE

6 Update

BT facing £600 million claim in overcharging scandal that ripped off 2.3 million customers; Bungalow provider crowns its community heroes; Move to the ‘happiest places’ in the UK and rent in retirement in 2021.

8 Recipes

What could be easier than soup or a meal in a bowl, knowing that with almost no effort, you’ve hit your five a day goal. Gavin Dixon

11 Learning in Retirement

Retirement is the perfect time to consider learning a new skill, whether purely for pleasure or with an anticipated qualification in mind

12 Footloose in Oxford and York

n Jones © Tami

Middle right: Image from Soupologie: 5 a day soups, photo by Tamin Jones (Kyle Books) Bottom left: Image from Scandi Rustic Photo by Benjamin Edwards © Ryland Peters & Small

Making a socially distanced travel programme isn’t as difficult as you might think.With research done before restrictions, Debra Rixon shares her experience of Oxford and York.

15 Journaling as a Therapy During the Current Pandemic At the present time, it is more important than ever to take steps to help ourselves emotionally process the challenges we are all experiencing. Journaling can be a cheap and easy method to do this.

16 Rustic Romantic

Anna and Johan return to Norrtälje, a small town buried deep in the Swedish countryside, surrounded by forests, to reflect on childhood memories.

18 Park Homes

Park Homes, an alternative, to more traditional homes, making them ideal for those approaching retirement age. • Published by:Amra Media Solutions Ltd 2nd Floor Tring House 77-81 High Street Tring Herts HP23 4AB • Tel: 01442 891608 • Email: info@amramedia.co.uk • www.retirement-today.co.uk • Designed by: Tom Evans Design All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. Although every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information and the advertisements contained within the magazine, the publishers cannot accept any liability. Retirement Today would be pleased to receive your articles and photographs for possible publication. Although all reasonable care will be taken the magazine can assume no responsibility and contributors are advised to retain a copy.

22 The most common will-writing mistakes – and how to avoid them Errors to watch out for and advice on how to avoid them when making a will.

29 Charity News

SSAFA are looking for volunteers; Help Wild Futures protect primates and their habitat; Bransby Horses face their most challenging year-to-date; Robin receives medical treatment at Tiggywinkles.

30 Charity News

Blood Pressure -know your numbers; Catastrophes Cat Rescue raising funds for recovery and rehabilitation centre.

If you would like to receive free digital copies of Retirement Today magazine, please email info@amramedia.co.uk with code ‘Free RT’

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RETIREMENT today today RETIREMENT

Legacy quarter page ad.pdf

20/04/2012

15:22

Last year we helped over 80,000 wild birds and animals like Rudolph

Please help me get better

CMY

Not only do we treat more hedgehogs than any other wildlife hospital, but our caring teams save lives every day. Our aim is simple, to treat injured British wildlife, then return them to the wild. Like Rudolph, who arrived badly injured at just five days old. Our specialist care saved this little deer and he is now facing a brighter future. But it is only with your support we can help casualties like Rudolph; please remember Tiggywinkles in your Will.

Our late friend Dame Thora Hird actively encouraged others to help us secure funding for our lifesaving work. In her words "All the little wild creatures and I thank you so very much". For more information please contact: Jenny Babb, Tiggywinkles, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP17 8AF

Money and Budgeting

01844 292 292 mail@sttiggywinkles.org.uk www.tiggywinkles.com Registered Charity No. 286447

Come and have a look around our Visitor Centre. Opening times can be found on our website www.tiggywinkles.com.

is the busiest wildlife hospital in the world.

Discover the freedom of renting… Exclusively for over 55’s our properties include independent living spaces alongside welcoming communal lounges with maintained gardens for socialising & relaxing. On-site managers and 24 hour emergency care line for additional peace of mind. All these services and more are included in the rent!

Money and Budgeting

Why RENT?:

• Flexibility to choose to live and move - where and when you want • No property ownership responsibilities • Added security with our assured ‘lifetime’ tenancy • Rent your home for as long as you wish • No service charges or event fees • Landlord is responsible for maintenance

Start living your retirement to the full!

Register with us to find your new home today. We have properties available to rent nationwide. Visit the blog on our website for the latest information on living independently in retirement.

0800 525 184 www.girlings.co.uk RETIREMENT

today

etirement is the reward for a hard-working life – but while you may be ceasing work, you should not allow your money to retire as well. It is important that it continues to work hard for you, so that you’ve got the financial security and flexibility you need. There are many money-related decisions to be made when you retire: get them right, and your income could increase year by year; fail to plan, and you might be faced with making personal cutbacks at a time when you should be relaxing and enjoying yourself. With people living longer, secure pensions from salary-related pension schemes fading fast and new pension freedoms that have reduced the use of annuities, more pensioners are directly exposed to the three great risks of retirement; longevity (outliving your savings), inflation risk (the buying power of your money falling over time), and investment risk (being exposed to the ups and downs of the stock market). Inflation means a sustained rise in prices – not just a temporary hike in the cost of coffee or petrol, but the relentless upward drift of prices over time that means your money buys less today than it did in the past. Even low rates of inflation have a big impact on prices over a long period: for example, if inflation averaged 2 per cent a year (the official target for the UK), £100 after 25 years would buy only the same as £61 today, meaning you’d have to cut your spending by over a third. Aviva (an insurance and pensions provider) suggests that over three-quarters of pensioners are worried about the rising cost of living and having to continue working to make ends meet. Obviously one way of increasing the problem is to bury your head in your hands and do nothing.

So, what steps can you take to avoid being strapped for cash Doing the sums budgeting once you retire? Whether you are close to giving up work or are With the current economic climate causing difficulties for so several years away from retirement, the most important thing to many, the ability to manage your money and know how to budget do is carry out a serious review of your retirement plans. This will is important. help you work out what options there are for maximizing and Budgeting can help you in two ways: sustaining your future income. • UNDERSTAND YOUR CURRENT FINANCES. There are many ideas on what makes a good financial plan, Knowing how much you spend, and on what, is essential. but the core elements are the same. In order of priority, a typical While you have records of formal bills, it’s very easy to person should normally aim to: overlook casual and ad hoc purchases. A tip some people 1. Sort out any problem debts. recommend is keeping track of your expenditure by 2. Stay in your workplace pension scheme. (Since your means of a ‘spending diary’. Whether you use a notebook, employer must contribute on your behalf. Opting out a spreadsheet or an app on your phone, the result is the is like turning down part of your pay!) If you are not same. Put down everything you spend over a period of, an employee, save through your own personal plan. say, one month, so you can see what you are spending 3. Get term life assurance if anyone is financially on and how much; it’s then quite easy to see if these are dependent on you. essentials and/or whether they are costing too much. 4. Build up at least three months’ worth of outgoings • PLAN YOUR FUTURE FINANCES. in accessible savings, such as cash Individual Savings Armed with your current budget, you can project how Accounts (ISA) to cover emergencies. your income and spending may change in retirement, or as retirement progresses. Don’t forget that there are 5. Buy a home if you are ready to settle somewhere. some ‘retirement freebies’, which are well worth taking 6. Save and invest to achieve other goals. advantage of: various things Everyone’s circumstances and you become entitled to once To ensure you have a comfortable resources are different, so you you’ve passed a certain age. retirement, you will need to carry out may have a slightly different plan These include travel and and, if you’re already retired, a full financial health check entertainment concessions, maintaining a stable income from some health benefits and help your pensions will often be your second highest problem after with fuel bills. Its surprising how sorting out problem debts. In some situations, you may need to much these small things add up. get professional advice to help you. If you have problem debts, Once you have gathered objective you should urgently consult one of the free, independent money data about your income and spending, advice agencies, such as Citizens Advice, nationaldebtline.co.uk you are armed to analyse and improve or stepchange.org. these impartial, non-judgemental organisations your finances n can efficiently help you deal with your creditors, without stigma, An extract from The Good Retirement Guide edited by Jonquil Lowe is ©2021 and reproduced with permission from Kogan Page Ltd

Money and Budgeting

and identify any additional sources of income you may be eligible for. Debt problems get worse if you ignore them, so be honest with yourself that there is a problem. Warning signs include borrowing to buy day-to-day essentials and taking out new loans to pay off old ones. To ensure you have a comfortable retirement, you will need to carry out a full financial health check. If you are still pre-retirement, this involves looking ahead to your income and likely spending in retirement. If you are already retired, you should be repeating this health check on an annual basis to get a clear view of your current financial position and how it may change in future. For pre-retirement planning, you should get a State Pension statement (which says how much State Pension you are currently entitled to once you reach State Pension age and whether there is any scope to improve this), and check the benefit statements you receive from pension schemes you belong to now and have done in the past. If you don’t have recent statements, contact the employer or pension provider concerned to ask for one. The government is backing an industry initiative to introduce ‘pension dashboards’ – online apps that will let you automatically see all your pensions in one place. Once that’s up and running (maybe in 2021), it will take a lot of the legwork out of this part of doing a financial health check. But until then, you will have to rather laboriously gather up all these pension statements for yourself. If you’ve lost track of old pensions, there is a free government service, The Pension Tracing Service, gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details, which can help. (Be aware that commercial firms with a similar name charge). Factor in any other sources of retirement income, for example, from non-pension savings you have built up, to give you a complete picture of your budget from the income side. Once you’ve done that, work out how much you are likely to need to spend in retirement. Bear in mind that, if your income is high enough, some of it will go in income tax. Be as realistic as you can about your spending – for example, how much you are likely to save once you are not travelling to and from work. Remember to factor in holidays and repayments on any debts you may have.

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UPDATE BT FACING £600

MILLION CLAIM IN OVERCHARGING SCANDAL THAT RIPPED OFF 2.3 MILLION BUNGALOW PROVIDER CROWNS CUSTOMERS ITS COMMUNITY HEROES

A claim worth almost £600 million has been filed against BT at the Competition Appeal Tribunal by Mishcon de Reya, a leading London law firm. In 2017, Ofcom found that BT had been overcharging landline customers for years. Since 2009, wholesale costs of providing landlines had been falling, but the prices BT chose to charge its customers just kept on increasing every year. This affected customers who purchased a BT landline but did not also take BT broadband. These customers were, according to Ofcom, more likely to be old, on low incomes and vulnerable. After Ofcom's ruling, BT agreed to reduce its landline prices by £84 per year but the telephone giant did not make efforts to repay customers for the previous eight years of overcharging. Justin Le Patourel, the Claimant Representative, and founder of CALL (Collective Action on Land Lines) is determined to put right this injustice and is filing a claim against BT for the return of these overcharges from 2015 onwards. Mr Le Patourel is seeking compensation for customers who took both a broadband service and a BT landline, but not together as a package (or 'bundle'). These people were excluded from BT's 2017 price cut, and so continue to be overcharged to this day. Unfortunately, under current legal rules, it is not possible to extend the claim all the way back to the year the overcharging started in 2009. But CALL can seek damages from 2015.

Update

Justin Le Patourel and CALL are seeking authorisation by the Tribunal to act for all the BT customers who were overcharged. If they are successful, then relevant UK based customers will automatically be represented and will not need to do anything further to join the action.

Anyone who had an unbundled landline from 2015 and wants to find out more information should visit the CALL website at www. callclaim.co.uk. Equally, if anyone does not want to be included in the claim, they can opt out on the same site. No fees are payable either way. RETIREMENT

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Residents of a leading national bungalow provider have voted for those who have gone the extra mile for their community and deserve to be crowned as a ‘Neighbourhood Hero’. In a time where the meaning of community has never been more important, the RoyaleLife Neighbourhood Hero initiative saw over 50 nominations from kind-hearted neighbours from developments across the country. Winners received an engraved trophy, luxury hamper and personalised ‘thank you’ from RoyaleLife, which offers luxury, fully-furnished bungalows for the over 45s in some of the country’s most sought-after locations. Robert Bull, CEO at RoyaleLife said: “As a nation, it once seemed that we had lost the sense of what being a good neighbour was, with many of us not even knowing the names of those who live next door to us. However, since the pandemic, there has been a huge outpouring of support between households which we felt needed to be recognised – and celebrated – during these difficult times.” Many of those who were nominated were praised by grateful residents, a number of whom are still shielding, after receiving much needed help with shopping, housework, and emotional support over the last few months. Robert added: “The response we had for Neighbourhood Hero was overwhelming and truly advocates our core message of building positive, like-minded communities in fantastic locations. Our residents have truly gone above and beyond as neighbours and we couldn’t be prouder of them.” RoyaleLife’s 64 developments can be found in locations across England and Wales, in locations that offer the very best of coast and country. www. royalelife.com

Move to ‘the happiest places’ in the UK and rent in retirement in 2021 Property portal Rightmove.co.uk recently published their happiest places to live index which highlighted several happy hot spots in the South West, including St Ives, which topped the list, along with Falmouth, Weymouth, Plymouth and Poole which made it into the top 20. Rightmove uses ten factors ranging from how friendly the neighbours are and how good the local services are, to the sense of belonging and the quality of nature and green spaces in the area to come up with their happiest places to live index. Commenting on the index Jamie Turnbull, Business Director at Girlings Retirement Rentals says the South West continues to a popular place for people to retire to especially coastal towns in Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. Jamie says, “The South West is a beautiful part of the country and somewhere people often dream about retiring to. As well as being friendly with lots of nature and green space around, it’s also one of the sunniest places in the UK. However, this can make it expensive in some areas which can put off some retirees. “More retired people are choosing to rent as a lifestyle choice, as it enables them to free up capital if they own a home to enjoy spending on their retirement as well as no longer having to worry about maintaining a property, which can become harder as people get older. For more information about Girlings Retirement Rentals visit www.girlings.co.uk.

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Five a day in one bowl

e all know that we should eat more fruit and vegetables and the recommended advice is that we should aim to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, but may of us often fall short. What could be easier than soup or a meal in a bowl, knowing that with almost no effort, you’ve hit your five a day goal. Here are a couple of soup recipes and one of our favourite meals for you to try.

SWEET POTATO, APPLE & MAPLE SOUP Per serving 323 kcals | 8.8g fat | 1.4g saturates | 51.4g carbohydrates | 4.4g protein | 32.3g sugars Vitamins B & C, Potassium & Manganese The dominant flavours in this soup are the rich and creamy sweet potato and butternut squash, coupled with the caramel-like goodness that is maple syrup. The apples add a fresh and tart piquancy while also providing one serving of your 5 a day. The Brussels sprouts crisps make an unusual, but fabulous, accompaniment and have even proven popular with family, friends and children with a historic dislike for sprouts. Plus, unlike regular crisps, these count as one of your 5 a day! SERVES 4

Five a day in one bowl

LENTIL, LEMON & SPINACH SOUP

2 tablespoons olive oil

Vitamins A, C, B1 & B6, Folate, Potassium, Phosphorus, Iron, Copper & Manganese

3 celery sticks (160g/5¾oz), trimmed and chopped

Let’s start with a little-known fact: all lentil varieties are made up of over 25 per cent protein. They are also a great source of iron and we’ve combined them in this soup with spinach, making this a super iron-rich dish! Iron is essential for healthy red blood cells and oxygen transportation around the body, so this is a wonderfully comforting soup to fall back on when you’re feeling a bit fatigued and worn out. Vitamin C-rich foods, like lemon, help our body to absorb iron. Serve this soup with avocado on toast to meet your full 5 a day. SERVES 2

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2 medium onions (160g/5¾oz), chopped

1 garlic clove, chopped 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 160g (5¾oz) dried green lentils 750ml (11/3 pints) vegetable stock juice of 1 lemon 160g (5¾oz) spinach, fresh or frozen salt and freshly ground black pepper To serve a few dollops of vegan yogurt (optional) 1 avocado (160g/5¾oz), sliced or mashed toast (we suggest rye bread) 1. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over a low heat. Add the onion, celery, garlic and turmeric. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5–10 minutes, stirring

occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and the onions are just beginning to turn translucent. 2. Add the lentils to the saucepan and stir them thoroughly into the onion mixture. Pour in the stock, increase the heat and bring to a boil with the saucepan partially covered with a lid. Reduce the heat and let the soup simmer, covered, for a further 15 minutes. Stir regularly and check to see if the lentils are soft and beginning to break apart. If not, keep the soup simmering with the lid on for 5 more minutes. Squeeze the lemon juice into the soup and add the spinach, stirring over a low heat until the spinach has wilted. 3. Remove the soup from the heat and blend with a hand blender or in a food processor until you have reached the desired consistency. Stir in a dollop of vegan yogurt and serve with avocado on toast on the side.

2 tablespoons olive oil 4 medium onions (320g/11½oz), chopped 1 butternut squash (320g/11½oz), peeled, deseeded and cubed 2 large sweet potatoes (320g/11½oz), peeled and chopped 2 garlic cloves, chopped 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried sage

over a low heat. Add the onions, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, garlic, thyme, sage and nutmeg. Season with the salt and pepper. 2. Cook, stirring regularly, for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables have started to soften and the onion has turned translucent. Keep an eye on the heat and make sure the garlic does not begin to burn. 3. Pour in the vegetable stock. Increase the heat and bring the soup to a boil for 30 seconds. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2 minutes. 4. Stir the apples into the soup and drizzle in the maple syrup into the saucepan. Simmer for another 3 minutes, then take off the heat. 5. Blend the soup with a hand blender or in a food processor until super smooth. Top with the Brussels sprouts crisps and a sprinkling of pumpkin seeds. Serve and enjoy!

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 litre (1¾ pints) vegetable stock

BRUSSELS SPROUTS CRISPS

3 eating apples (320g/11½oz), such as Pink Lady or Red Delicious, peeled, cored and chopped

3 tablespoons maple syrup salt and freshly ground black pepper

SERVES 2

To serve Brussels sprouts crisps handful of pumpkin seeds 1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan

200g (7oz) Brussels sprouts ½ teaspoon onion granules ¼ teaspoon garlic powder 1½ tablespoons nutritional yeast 2 tablespoons tahini paste juice of ½ lime 1 tablespoon vegetable oil salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1. Preheat the oven to 160°C/140°C fan/325°F/gas mark 3. 2. Remove the ends of the Brussels sprouts and peel off the first few outer leaves until the sprouts are clean. Now slice them thinly into strips.

BLACK BEAN BURRITOS WITH AVOCADO SALSA Per serving 709 kcals | 37g fat | 5.9g saturates | 71.6g carbohydrates | 16.7g protein | 17.9g sugars Vitamins A, C, E, B1 & B6, Folate, Potassium, Phosphorus, Copper & Manganese You can never go wrong with burritos and avocados! This will provide your 5 a day – or 6 a day if you serve it with our sweet potato fries on page 123 – in one healthy, filling and nutritious meal that is sure to keep you going! SERVES 2 1 medium sweet potato (160g/5¾oz), peeled and chopped 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 medium red onions

3. Put all the other ingredients in a bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the Brussels sprouts and toss to coat, then lay them out in a single layer on a baking tray. If necessary, use two baking trays.

(160g/5¾oz), chopped

4. Roast in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir the sprouts, then return to the oven for a further 10–15 minutes. If you want to get them extra crispy, you can change the oven to the grill setting (or put them under the grill) for a further 2–5 minutes.

150g (5½oz) vegan Cheddar-

5. If you have been able to stop yourself from eating all the sprouts straight away, then go ahead and serve them as an accompaniment to some of our soup recipes.

2 avocados (160g/5¾oz), peeled, pitted and roughly chopped

160g (5¾oz) canned black beans, drained 160g (5¾oz) sweetcorn, frozen or canned 4 tortilla wraps style cheese (optional) salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste For the avocado salsa: 300g (10½oz) tomato salsa handful of freshly chopped mint handful of freshly chopped coriander

juice of 1 lime 1 garlic clove, crushed

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/425°F/gas mark 7. 2. Lay out the sweet potatoes on a baking tray and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the oil. Season with salt and pepper, then stir to coat completely. Place in the oven for 20–25 minutes or until fully cooked and crispy at the edges. Set aside, but keep the oven on. 3. Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a medium-sized saucepan over a low heat. Add the onions and cook for 5–10 minutes, or until starting to caramelize. Add the black beans and sweetcorn, then season. Cook for a further 5–6 minutes, stirring frequently and lightly mashing the beans with your spoon. Set aside. 4. For the salsa, place all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. Season to taste, then set aside while you finish the rest of the dish. 5. Lay out the tortillas and divide the black bean mixture between them. Top with the roasted sweet potatoes, then sprinkle over the cheese, if using. Wrap up the tortillas, then place them in a small baking tray or dish so that they are bunched up together and stay closed. Place back in the oven for 5–10 minutes or until the tortillas become crisp and their edges are slightly browned. 6. Divide the burritos between two plates and serve topped with the avocado salsa.

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Five a day in one bowl

Soupologie 5 a day Soups: Your 5 a day in one bowl by Anastasia Argent is published by Kyle Books, £16.99 hardback, www.octopusbooks.co.uk Photography:Tamin Jones

“

The lessons are very clear, stimulating, fun and very helpful ... The terrific variety of activities we’ve covered has inspired a lot of pleasurable meanderings at the keys. Piano Sanctuary online student

”

Piano tuition for adults of all ages and abilities ✽ Creative, exciting new method for fast-track progress ✽ Personalised online short courses - book now for immediate start ✽ Idyllic retreats at Leiston Abbey, Suffolk - book now for Spring 2021

pianosanctuary.co.uk hello@pianosanctuary.co.uk 01728 831354

Operated by Pro Corda Trust, a registered charity No.116213

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Learning in Retirement

As well as online courses, Piano Sanctuary offer idyllic weekend retreats at Leiston Abbey In Suffolk. Image ©Gavin Dixon

A SANCTUARY FOR ADULT PIANO LEARNERS OF ALL ABILITIES

Andrew Quartermain, Chief Executive of Pro Corda and Piano Sanctuary founder, explains what’s inspired him to take a new approach for adults keen to start playing or return to the piano. Piano Sanctuary is an entirely new approach for adult learners.The thing that puts so many adults off from either starting or coming back to piano lessons is so often, well, the idea of lessons! Sometimes people have mixed memories of that strict piano teacher as a child. Sometimes they’re put off by the thought of having to learn tutor music largely written for children. Based on years of experience running Piano weekends for adults, most of whom recently retired, and making use of my practical experience as a concert pianist and international teacher, I realised that there was a need out there for a new approach. To my mind, this approach could follow what happened with gyms back in the late 80s. Having been perceived as elite places for the ultraathletic, suddenly they became about people’s everyday lives and lifestyles. Piano Sanctuary is exactly that – and hopefully with a lot of fun along the way. It recognises that piano isn’t just a skill to be developed, it’s about a deep love of piano music, and it’s about lifestyle. And during these stressful times it really is about a sanctuary too.

Piano Sanctuary offers rewarding, fast-track progress for adult piano players of all levels, including beginners. Image ©Gavin Dixon

Piano Sanctuary offers bespoke compact online courses for all levels (including beginners.) They use creative techniques that can be grasped immediately to fast-track immediate progress. There are also the idyllic Retreat weekends at Piano Sanctuary’s home at Leiston Abbey on the Suffolk coast – part music course/ part weekend break in the country with great food and wine! There have already been so many success stories, and we also have a superb video where you can see and hear Piano Sanctuary students sharing their experiences, so do find out more at our website and get in touch if you like what you see! www.pianosanctuary.co.uk n

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Learning in Retirement

etirement is the perfect time to consider learning a new skill, whether purely for pleasure or with an anticipated qualification in mind. You are never too old to learn, and retirement is a good time to start doing something you have always wanted to do but perhaps never really had the time whilst working. Now more than ever, having to stay at home due to the pandemic, now could be the time to start thinking about learning a new skill or hobby. Whatever you choose to do, it’s a great way to keep the mind active and at the same time gives you the opportunity to socialise and meet new people who have similar interests to yourself, even if only on-line at present. There are many organisations and establishments available to assist you in choosing, whether part-time, weekend or distance learning courses. Here is an example.

In August 2020, Margaret provided 84 hours of medical care to a dying horse, saving its life. Margaret in the 1950s

Margaret passed away March, 2020.

Create Your Legacy

Footloose in

Margaret kindly remembered Bransby Horses in her Will. Gifts left in Wills help our charity rescue and care for hundreds of equines every single year.

T 01427 788464 BransbyHorses.co.uk/legacy Charity No: 1075601. Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England and Wales No: 3711676 Mrs Penney’s family generously gave permission for this image use and message; continuing Margaret’s incredible legacy. 84 hours based on 6 staff working at our Intensive Care Unit

Would you like to bring a smile to a friend's face during lockdown?

Oxford and York By Debra Rixon

M York-Shambles

aking a socially distanced travel programme isn’t as difficult as you might think. Our research had been done before restrictions were put in place, so when those same restrictions were lifted, it just meant we had to adapt. Day trips to Oxford, and a self contained apartment for York for minimum contact, we decided. The weather in the summer of 2020 was on our side, and so were the tourism offices, eager for us to promote them, knowing the tourist industry would be struggling. So we set off for our nearest architecturally rich and historic city – golden Oxford. I spent my early adult years there, so of course it was familiar, but I was focussed on very different matters then, so found that my knowledge of the city was quite narrow.Touring the colleges again meant I could indulge in some reminiscences, but it also meant I was learning anew, and our host in Oxford, Jack Doyle had a rich fund of facts and anecdotes. An American, he had studied at two of the colleges, so had the right background, we felt, to give us some potted history. Jack moonlighted for a walking tour company, Footprints, which we felt was appropriate for us. Without the students for the summer, Oxford was largely quiet, almost dozing peacefully in the heat. Christchurch meadows were a rural delight, and the Botanical Gardens were pleasantly un-busy. Strolling through the streets that were largely free of traffic meant we had time to notice little architectural aspects that we might have missed on a busier walk. The gargoyles on Magdalen College were a case in point. American audiences have a strong partiality for British tv, and particularly Inspector Morse, so looking for filming locations is a favourite pastime for visitors to the city, and we were no different. One

Footloose in Oxford and York

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Aerial view of OxfordRadclffe

Oxford All Souls College

Saxon cemetery and the foundations of the Norman Minster. The Undercroft is a must-see exhibition whilst touring the Minster. The city is also well known for its chocolate, and the Chocolate Story in the heart of York details the confectionary of the Craven, Rowntree and Terry families.There are tours of Goddards, the Terry family home as well, and of course, we had to conduct our own taste test to be fair. York is a wonderful jumble of historical epochs, and you switch from Viking, Roman or Georgian periods at any street corner. An authentic Roman ‘leisure complex’ can be found beneath a pub to be visited for a modest fee – the exit is back up through the pub, which is a bonus. Down the snickelways and alleys are hidden gems, and Barley Hall is one of them. A beautifully restored medieval merchant’s hall, with a banquet set out worthy to receive Richard III when he visited York, and with whom the city closely identifies. There is a lot of fun to be had in York, and ghosts abound in the city and pubs. Nightly ghost walks are in abundance, and one of our hosts was Dorian Deathly, whose own tour is hugely popular. Debra at Oxford York is at the centre of regional attractions – we couldn’t Covered Market resist hiring a compartment on the North Yorkshire Moors Steam Railway service to Whitby to visit the haunting Abbey ruins high above the town, and revel in a little Dracula lore. Magnificent Castle Howard is a short drive from York, and further up the A64 is the classic seaside resort of Scarborough. Of course, not just Oxford and York, but all our tourist towns and attractions will be needing us post Covid. All our Footloose films are offered free to view on Amazon Prime n

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of my favourite teenage haunts was the Turf Tavern, tucked away down a concealed alleyway, which claims a long history of notable and notorious past patrons. The Harry Potter films have also expanded Oxford’s appeal – Christchurch’s superb dining hall is the setting for Hogwart’s Great Hall, and as you can stay overnight at the college, gives perhaps a little extra frisson at breakfast. Oxford’s literary associations are legend, and strolling past the colleges of alumni such as Tolkien, Lewis and Carroll to name only three, seems to set you recalling their various works and which ones you liked the most.There is no shortage of pubs connected with them either. The Westgate Shopping Centre was being built as I left the city, and has been re-built in the intervening years as Bonn Square was established as a place to ‘hang out’. But that was as far as it went in the ‘70’s – beyond the Centre was a mystery – for it was the prison and castle complex – definitely not a desirable area to linger in. Until now. We were kindly given a tour of the Castle after the visitors had gone for the day, and the Site Manager Robin had a fascinating narrative of the Castle’s origins and history. The prison is eerie and atmospheric without the tourists, and the description of crime and punishment through the ages is pretty grim. In the 21st century though, a former penitentiary can become a tourist attraction, and be converted into a luxury hotel – ironically, you can spend the night in what were prison cells. Oxford makes a good touring base for the Cotswolds, with its wealth of history and breathtakingly pretty villages in that same wonderful, honey coloured stone. Our second destination was historic York – Jorvik to the Vikings, and Eboracum to the Romans. Although we drove there, it is under four hours by train from Oxford, and the station is grand and a listed building. York’s railway associations are impressive, and the National Railway Museum is sited here in vast, sprawling splendour. A short riverside walk brings you into the city from the Museum, and what a city it is. For us, to get an overview of the city, we had to take the UK’s most complete city wall walk, which was open in a clockwise direction only. There were two museums within the walls on our visit – dedicated to Richard III and Henry VII – both of which can go on tour at any time, and be replaced with temporary exhibits.The bars and barbicans are the gateways into the city, and the streets are called gates. All derived from their Roman and Viking past, which is joyously celebrated. World famous Jorvik Viking Centre is a wonderful way to travel back in time, and affords a wealth of information that is being added to all the time. Nowhere in York can you sink foundations or excavate without archaeologists on site to inspect – and a redundant church has been converted into an innovative ‘dig’ that provides an opportunity for children to learn and discover archaeology. The Castle Museum is a marvellous place to visit, and we were allowed to film Victorian Kirkgate once the public had left, which made it disconcerting in the twilight with sounds from the past. No-one who visits York can resist the Shambles, another opportunity to experience the past, with shops unashamedly linking you to the Harry Potter world and magical properties of locally sourced Jet jewellery. York Minster is magnificent; the third most prestigious cathedral in Britain and stands on the site of a Roman barracks, an Anglo-

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Have you thought of including Blood Pressure UK in your Will? A lasting way to help others with high blood pressure Finding out that you have high blood pressure can be traumatic, particularly if you are young. Most people don’t know anything about the condition and worry about how it will affect them and those around them.

Helping you to lower your blood pressure

Journaling as a Therapy During the Current Pandemic

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Blood Pressure UK is here to help. With our information packs, range of leaflets and our helpline, we provide reassurance and support to those who need it. All of this work is expensive, and while membership subscriptions and donations help enormously, leaving a gift in your Will can help us make a bigger difference. Leaving a gift isn’t as complicated as you might think. It doesn’t have to be a large amount, and it will give you the assurance that our work will continue long into the future. Obviously, providing for your family and friends comes first, but once that is done please consider leaving a gift to Blood Pressure UK in your Will.

We have put together a simple leaflet to guide you through the process. You can get a copy by telephoning (020) 7882 6255, visiting our website at www.bloodpressureuk.org or by writing to Blood Pressure UK, Wolfson Institute, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ.

16/06/2020 18:34

Journaling as a Therapy During the Current Pandemic

or many of us Journaling brings up the idea of our teenage self, doodling on notebooks. However, the art of journaling has a number of benefits. Given the current Covid19 Pandemic it is more important than ever to take steps to help ourselves emotionally process the challenges we are all experiencing. Journaling can be a cheap and easy method to do this. Firstly, what are the benefits of Journaling? Journaling is considered a powerful way to understand more about ourselves as it is simply giving ourselves the gift of time to write down all the thoughts that wander through our minds. The process of writing these thoughts down brings clarity and helps us release emotions. Journaling is also a method to boost our memory, relieve stress and organise our thoughts. Many people journal simply for themselves. However, for anyone wanting to be more creative, Journaling can help inspire thoughts and help create a routine of creativity.

How do you start Journaling?

Journaling doesn’t require any special equipment. A notebook and pen, or a laptop. A timer (as it is recommended to limit the time spent writing down difficult emotions) and then simply starting. I simply think of Journaling as having a conversation with myself on the page as a way to find out my thoughts and challenge any anxieties.

Some people struggle with how to actually start Journaling. This fear of being unsure of what to write can make us nervous about starting. It is important to remember that Journaling is about the process of writing down thoughts and not about creating something perfectly written, and you can start with any thought that comes to mind. However, it can be helpful to start with “I can see…” or “For breakfast I had…” and then simply writing. Don’t edit your thoughts, just jot down what comes to mind and let the words flow. Many recommend writing first thing in the morning as this clears our brains from all the thoughts and anxieties before starting the day. For anyone hoping to be more creative, daily Journaling can be a good way to spark creativity, but it really is simply the act of spending time with yourself and jotting down your thoughts. Journaling can be a To Do List. It can be a recollection of a dream you had. Some people write letters to themselves. Journaling is simply getting all the thoughts that swirl through our minds onto the page to help us gain clarity. By regularly spending a few minutes recording the thoughts we are experiencing

helps us identify and manage them. Covid19 has changed life in ways none of us were prepared for. It is important we take time to be kind to ourselves. Journaling can be a small way to begin to let our thoughts free from our mind, get to know ourselves better and ease our anxieties. It is a practice of understanding ourselves more. It is not for anyone but yourself. Give yourself time. Pick up a pen and let your thoughts dance on the page n

Top Tips: • Start with small ideas. E.g start by writing “For lunch… I can see…” • Journaling can bring up deep feelings so limit the time (20minutes can be plenty) • Remember this is for you. There is no pressure to write in beautiful words. • Don’t stop and edit your work, just keep writing. • Remember you don’t have to read it if you don’t want to. • Enjoy. We are living through a tough situation at the moment - it’s important to take care of ourselves. RETIREMENT

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Journaling as a Therapy During the Current Pandemic

By Carrie Jade Williams

RUSTIC ROMANTIC

Rustic Romantic

s we begin families of our own, the urge to return to the place where we grew up and formed cherished childhood memories becomes strong for many of us. For Anna and Johan, that place is Norrtälje, a small town buried deep in the Swedish countryside, surrounded by forests. Leaving Stockholm behind, the couple found what can only be described as an idyllic spot in a rural location with plenty of land for their two young daughters and assorted animals, including rabbits, cats, a dog and ponies. The house itself is a typical red and white wooden Swedish farmhouse dating back to 1790 and is utterly charming. The couple don’t know much about its history other than it was once a working farm. Indeed, its agricultural past is still evident from the space that surrounds the property, including the large garden, a greenhouse, stables and other outbuildings. During the summer the family spend lots of time outdoors, tending the garden, feeding the ponies and allowing the girls to roam free. The farmhouse was structurally in good condition when the couple moved in, but it was in need of updating. They decided to focus on decorating rather than carrying out expensive building works, although the downstairs RETIREMENT

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bathroom and kitchen were crying out for an overhaul. The couple had a clear vision for their new home – Anna is an interior designer and blogger while Johan, in Anna’s words, is ‘a great handyman and DIYer’. It’s a match made in renovation heaven. On arrival at the house, we stepped into a wonderfully romantic Swedish interior. A large glass porch leads into a hallway painted in warm neutral shades, and as we ventured through the ground floor, we realized that Anna and Johan have retained every scrap of the farmhouse’s rustic charm. The couple decided against building a modern open-plan extension/ addition and instead have focused on retaining each room’s original purpose and distinct style. The kitchen is where the family spend the majority of their time, cooking and entertaining family and friends. Anna chose to reflect the

history of the house by sourcing a large vintage wooden table and chairs for the dining area. The kitchen units were painted in a soft, sludgy green shade, a colour that reappears throughout the house in different forms, from painted furniture to wallpaper to greenery. In the living room, with its low, beamed ceilings, a wall of open shelving is painted in the same soft green and displays accessories, books and family photographs. Although Scandinavian design is often described as minimal, Anna is not afraid to use pattern to add texture and coziness to her home. In the living room (and elsewhere in the house), Anna has chosen to use wallpaper designs that echo the natural landscape outside. This room leads onto a sunroom flooded with daylight from the large windows. There is an abundance of houseplants,

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Scandi Rustic by Rebecca Lawson and Reena Simon, published by Ryland Peters & Small (£19.99) Photography by Benjamin Edwards © Ryland Peters & Small

BOTANICAL CHARM The couple have made the large living room homey and inviting by adding patterned wallpaper and an oversized modern coffee table (above). There are plants strategically placed along the windowsill behind the linen sofa, which make for an interesting backdrop, and a playful monochrome gallery wall plus a cluster of artworks propped against the wall for a relaxed vibe.

LIGHT AND BRIGHT The sunroom is a Scandi Rustic triumph. The muted colour palette and touches of green in the form of plants and painted furniture set a timeless, serene mood. Antique furniture adds rustic charm to this space, where the family gather for home-cooked meals beneath the statement handmade linen lampshade. This well-lit room is also the perfect place to grow seedlings and propagate plants.

Rustic Romantic

a comfortable low-slung rattan sofa and an antique dresser adorned with beautiful ceramics and vintage kitchenalia. The upper floor is reached via a winding wooden staircase. Here, the tranquil and understated master bedroom boasts a calming tonal palette. Anna opted for mineral paint throughout the house – a popular finish with Danes and Swedes. It’s a traditional limewash paint that possesses a matte chalky texture and depth of colour that brings the walls to life and only improves with age. The children’s bedrooms are perfectly in harmony with the rest of the house, with antique armoires, plenty of rattan storage and adorable Mrs Mighetto wallpaper. Anna and Johan’s home is full of vintage finds, warm earthy tones and seasonal touches. And while you may look at these pictures and conclude that it is finished, in fact the couple still have DIY plans at the forefront of their minds, including making space for a family bathroom upstairs. Anna and Johan have managed to retain the atmosphere of this traditional farmhouse while creating a warm, cozy and modern family home for modern times. The house exudes individuality and personality and was a joy to experience n RETIREMENT

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Introduction by ALASTAIR WALLBANKS Retiring, or approaching retirement should be a time of excitement and anticipation. A time which can provide an excellent opportunity to make a fresh start. Samantha Westwood, a Principal Risk Analyst advocates, "Establishing new schedules and routines is a great way to make the transition into retirement easier and help find a new path forward." One method of achieving this is to make a complete lifestyle change, and what better way to do that than to move to a community with likeminded people of a similar age without losing your independence. Residential Parks provide such a community. They are an affordable alternative to more traditional homes, making them ideal for those approaching retirement age as most parks have a minimum age restriction. The innumerable different styles and designs offered guarantees there is a park home to suit any personality or taste. A sense of community, enhanced security, (a lot of these parks have secure entrances) and hassle-free maintenance are just some of the attractions to this style of living as well as the added benefit of not having to look after a larger property.

PARK LIVING

ParkLiving

Killarney Homes

Killarney Homes specialise in luxury residential parks that offer practical, secure and comfortable retirement living. All the parks are set in the idyllic Nottinghamshire countryside, with the latest development,Willow Park, located on the outskirts of Calverton. Working closely with Stately-Albion and Prestige Homeseeker, the park homes are specifically designed and built to offer light-filled rooms, with triple glazed windows as standard.The plots are carefully laid out to make the most of the landscape; whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a south facing garden or decking overlooking the lake, the private gardens and driveways give residents the space they need to enjoy independent life, whilst the communal atmosphere enables them to socialise with like-minded people. Some of the homes back onto a babbling brook with a golf course beyond. All plots are of a generous size and are set at different angles.The park even includes a communal allotment where residents can grow their own fruit and vegetables, there are chickens providing eggs with their care shared by residents and a communal composter for garden waste. Willow Park is just a mile away from Calverton which provides all amenities, whilst Nottingham is only ten miles away with a regular bus service stopping right outside the park gates. Killarney Homes is run by a friendly and approachable team. Alex Kellam and Sophie Brown are brother and sister and make up the third generation of the family involved in the business. Showhomes and plots are currently available at this tranquil slice of paradise. To find out more, call 0845 340 2861, email info@killarneyhomes.co.uk or visit www.killarneyhomes.co.uk. Happy retirement! RETIREMENT

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JJ Cooper

Garstons Park is the headquarters of another company that specialises in park home living, the family run business of JJ Cooper Park Estates, with over 40 years of experience. Although a family run business, they employ a large number of staff to ensure the parks run smoothly and the welfare needs of the residents are met in a friendly and professional manner. The parks are for those 45 years of age and over, and therefore the majority of residents are retired or semi-retired. Location is everything and this group operate eight residential park homes set in beautiful areas of the south of England, three within easy reach of London. The parks have immaculate, well-kept garden areas and have many leisure facilities on site, such as fishing, walks and golf, as well as conveniently situated within walking distance of local amenities too. In addition, although they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need it, most of the parks have gated entry and many have CCTV as requested by residents, to make them feel more comfortable and secure which is a major factor that attracts residents to this type of living. Another added benefit of owning a park home is that the home can be gifted to a relative on the death of the owner. For further information tel. 0118 942 8782 or email garstonspark@outlook.com

HM Stevens - The Author

he name born when school friends learning of his ambition to follow a a title like that it was a job hard to refuse. maritime career coupled his cheerful demeanour with the acronym HMS, HM ventured into journalism writing shipboard newspapers aboard luxury nicknamed him Happy Mug Stevens, hence the pen name. cruise liners featuring the daily antics and shenanigans of shipboard life for the His first steps as an author came when he won a high school writing competition amusement of the passengers. with a story titled ‘The Railway Station’. During his seventeenth year, the school In his spare time and when not rattling the keyboard HM fly's a beautiful Robin annual summer holidays saw HM experiencing a taste of life at sea when he Regent light aircraft. sailed aboard a Hull based distant water trawler going to the northern fishing In his recently released fictional novel ‘Murky Waters’ HM was able to create grounds within the Arctic Circle. Here he endured by drawing on a lot of his personal experiences sea sickness, freezing temperatures and storms at home and abroad but he insists that it is by no with the deck awash. Experiences which today means an autobiography. This will come later and are euphemistically known as Work Experience. entitled ‘Choppy Waters’... The life and times from He spent the remainder of the summer holidays Bilge Rat to General Manager of The World!’ a working as a domestic bread delivery driver. somewhat satirical look at life afloat. What a summer that was for HM; going from the One recent review of ‘Murky Waters’ stated the freezing temperatures to the soft embrace of following:frustrated housewives, several who looked for imaginative ways of negotiating payment for their Adventure, romance, sex, murder, violence, and bread deliveries! more sex, from the cold north of Lincolnshire to the jungles of West Africa, the author takes us on Naval service saw him mixed up in the Congo many exciting journeys in this page turner of a civil war, then being rammed by an Icelandic Gun book. Using information that can only be obtained Boat during the ill fated ‘Cod Wars’. Some years by insiders knowledge, the author takes us through later he was dodging incoming ordnance whilst the skills and excitement of flying; the ins and outs in Cyprus amid the war there between the Turks of operating ships and a shipping company (and and Greeks. Then with the task force during the the associated fiddles and frauds); and the detailed Falklands War. After which family committments description of an SAS operation against modern-day demanded he embark on a more homely, quiet pirates – all handled with panache, humour and an lifestyle so HM made the change from roaming the eye for detail. An excellent read, buy it and enjoy. seven seas by swapping his navy blue uniform for the dark blue of a police officer where he enjoyed Currently working on his next novel, ‘Bloody Waters’ living the life of a real ‘Heartbeat’ copper in rural in keeping the theme of waters HM has plans for East Yorkshire. several other nautical based adventure An abrupt change in personal circumstances took mystery yarns. HM back to sea in the position as the seagoing General Manager of ship called ‘The World’. With Available through Amazon in Kindle or paperback.

JJ C

JJ JJ C TM

J JC

JJ C

JJC

J J COOPER & SONS

EXCLUSIVE RESIDENTIAL & HOLIDAY PARK HOME ESTATES

HERE QUALITY & W LIFESTYLE COME FIRST Please contact our Head Ofﬁce on 0118 942 8782 to discuss your residential park home or holiday lodge requirements. We can supply park homes and leisure lodge homes from any manufacturer. We have an inventory of stock homes from any of the leading manufacturers available immediately, alternatively you can place a forward order for a home of your choice with a lead time of 12 weeks delivery. Our parks are located in Berkshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey and Essex with our address details listed below. We have in excess of 1200 residents living on our estates and have more than 40 years experience in the industry, with our ﬁrst park ownership in 1976.

We look forward to welcoming you to one of our parks.

Exclusive Park Home Estates at: Garstons Park Home Village, Tilehurst, Berkshire RG31 4TS (Head Ofﬁce) California Country Park, Finchampstead, Berkshire RG40 4HT • Kingsleigh Park, Thundersley, Essex SS7 3QJ • Cambridge Lodge Park, Horley, Surrey RH6 8PR • Oxford Park Homes, Sandford-on-Thames, Oxford OX4 4YT • Bungalow Park, Amesbury, Wiltshire SP4 7PJ • Robann Park, Fareham, Hamsphire • Lincoln Farm Park, Standlake, Witney OX29 7RH

T: 0118 942 8782

JJ Cooper.indd 1

E: garstonspark@outlook.com

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Specialising in luxury residential parks offering practical, secure and comfortable retirement living in the beautiful Nottinghamshire countryside

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For more information please contact:

info@killarneyhomes.co.uk | 0845 340 2861 | www.killarneyhomes.co.uk Killarney Homes, Moor Farm, Moor Lane, Calverton, Nottinghamshire NG14 6FZ

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The most common will-writing mistakes - and how to avoid them

By Jodie Wielgus, Partner for the Private Clients Team at Ramsdens Solicitors

or those in or approaching retirement, two priorities will often emerge - the need to ensure their families will be properly looked after no matter what happens, and the desire to leave behind a lasting legacy. Writing a will is one of the best and most effective ways of achieving both. By writing a will, you can put all of your affairs in proper order, giving you priceless peace of mind in your RETIREMENT

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later years. However, these benefits will quickly be cancelled out if you make a mistake with your will, as this could result in your family and loved ones not getting the protection they deserve. This is why it is so important to avoid the most common mistakes that stop people from creating the

The most common will-writing mistakes and how to avoid them

PAIN RELIEF FOUNDATION RELIEVING CHRONIC PAIN THROUGH RESEARCH

CHRONIC PAIN - THE SILENT EPIDEMIC › 1 in 10 people in the UK suffer from chronic pain – which does not go away. › Over half of sufferers endure chronic pain all day, every day of their lives. › Many sufferers say they can’t remember what it is like not to be in pain. › Thousands of sufferers lose their jobs because the pain is so bad that they cannot work. › Pain stops sufferers enjoying walking, shopping, sleeping; even playing with their children Chronic Pain affects people of all walks of life, 43% of the population suffer from chronic pain. Research costs money, and there is always an urgent need to provide more funds for more research. The Pain Relief Foundation DOES NOT receive funding from the NHS or any other Government body. Instead, our vital work depends entirely on donations and the generosity of people like you. PLEASE MAKE A DONATION TODAY, Or leave a Legacy in your will. For help and advice, contact us. Pain Relief Foundation, Clinical Sciences Centre, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool L9 7AL www.painrelieffoundation.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1156227

Telephone: 0151 529 5820 E-mail: lorraine.roberts@painrelieﬀoundation.org.uk Pain Relief Foundation.indd 1

he Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is a rescue centre for over 100 donkeys. They each have a forever home, in 55 acres of beautiful countryside in the Wroxall Valley, between Newport and Ventnor in the Isle of Wight.The donkeys are rescued for a variety of reasons, sometimes their owners are taken ill or pass away, sometimes their owners can’t afford the expense of looking after their donkey and sometimes they are just left in in a field,or at a gate, hoping that somebody would come along and rescue them. The sanctuary has recently shown the extremes of their work, in their 2 most recent group rescues. Just before Christmas the sanctuary took in 5 donkeys, who had been abandoned in Ireland and had been brought in by the kindness of a lady who gave them a temporary home in Bedfordshire. She was shocked at their condition-they were malnourished, and 2 of the male donkeys had suffered from 'Do it Yourself Castrations' in Ireland by their previous owners.

Fortunately their temporary owner involved the Royal Veterinary College in their recovery plan, and with a lot of TLC the donkeys –Tim, Colin, Bear, Womble and Larry were able to come to their permanent home, here at the sanctuary in the Isle of Wight. Since November the sanctuary have been helping to rescue and re-home 10 donkeys who were saved from a slaughterhouse in Brittany, France. The donkeys were literally in the slaughterhouse pound when the sanctuary was contacted by a small donkey rescue in France who had heard about the plight of these animals. The IOW sanctuary said immediately that they would take the donkeys and incredibly pay the slaughterhouse for their release. The donkeys Javette, Jiva, Jenny, Jumpy, Josephine, Junon, Hopeand Charity – with 2 foals Koko and Kitchy – will become Brexit Busters as the sanctuary plots their course through all the new regulations that are now in place for international equine transport! n www.iowdonkeysanctuary.org

The Gift of Life

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The Gift of Life

08/02/2019 11:24

Give a little love Leave a lasting legacy By leaving just 1% of your total worth to Epilepsy Society in your will, you can help fund valuable scientific research to help us treat and beat epilepsy. To receive your legacy pack call us on 01494 601414 or email donor.support@epilepsysociety.org.uk Find out more about leaving a lasting legacy visit epilepsysociety.org.uk/loveliveson

Chesham Lane, Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire, SL9 0RJ Registered charity number 206186 24

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comprehensive, fully thought-out and legally binding wills they need. Here, the expert probate, wills and trusts solicitors at Ramsdens have created a guide to ten frequent will-writing errors to watch out for - with advice on how you can make sure you avoid them.

1. Forgetting to include all of your assets THE MISTAKE:

THE SOLUTION: You will need to be as comprehensive as possible when writing your will, including any and all assets you can think of, especially those for which you have specific intentions. By speaking to a legal expert who specialises in will writing, you will be able to get guidance on everything to include, and feedback on whether the will you’ve written covers everything it should.

THE SOLUTION: You will need to make sure that any children in your care are catered for specifically by your will, taking special consideration for those who are not blood-related and therefore not automatically protected by law. Speak to your solicitor to make sure you are clear about the law around this subject.

2. Being overly specific when describing your assets

4. Failing to plan for what happens if your beneficiaries die before you

THE MISTAKE:

Although it’s usually better to be specific when writing legal documents to avoid any ambiguity, there can be instances when writing a will where being too specific can create problems. For example, if you include a car in your will and specify its name and model, it can create confusion if you have replaced that car with another model by the time you die, without updating your will. By being too specific, your will could become less relevant as your circumstances change.

THE SOLUTION: To avoid this confusion, it may be better to describe certain assets in more general terms, such as “the car that is currently registered in my name”. This will also help you avoid the need to constantly update the will.

3. Forgetting to provide for nonbiological children THE MISTAKE: If you make reference to “your children” in your will, this does not automatically apply to any stepchildren or foster children you might have, unless you stipulate this outright. Although legally adopted children are automatically classed as having the same status as biological children, this is not the case for other categories of non-biological family members. Failing to account for this could leave vulnerable loved ones without an inheritance.

It is not necessarily a given that your beneficiaries will outlive you. If your will fails to account for this, it could create uncertainty if an intended beneficiary is no longer around to collect their inheritance, potentially leading to future legal disputes over who gets to claim it.

THE SOLUTION: Your will should include backup plans for what should happen and who should receive an inheritance if your stated beneficiaries die before you. This may require you to think through multiple different scenarios and come up with contingencies for each.

5. Selecting invalid witnesses when signing your will THE MISTAKE:

You must make sure you choose the witnesses for your will correctly. This means they must be: • Over the age of 18 • UK citizens • Physically present during the signing of the will • Individuals who are not named as beneficiaries in the will, or married to someone who is

6. Choosing the wrong executors THE MISTAKE: Part of the will-writing process involves selecting someone who will be responsible for executing the will and administering your estate after you die. You can choose anyone over the age of 18; however, not everyone will be a suitable choice. Some people choose executors who are unable to fulfil this responsibility, or whose life circumstances - for example, if they live abroad - make it hard for them to do so. Others simply forget to name executors in their will, meaning the probate court will have to appoint someone who may not have been your first choice.

THE SOLUTION: You will need to choose an executor who you know will be committed to carrying out your wishes, and will have the time and ability to take on the role. In some situations, it may be best to choose multiple executors to split the responsibility, and avoid it all falling on one person.

7. Failing to keep your will updated THE MISTAKE: Writing a will is not a one-time process. If you fail to update it

Once your will has been written, it needs to be signed in the presence of two valid witnesses in order to be considered legally binding. If you get this wrong, the will could be invalidated, or you could end up accidentally disinheriting a family member who was improperly used as a witness.

THE SOLUTION:

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The most common will-writing mistakes - and how to avoid them

In order to ensure your various belongings and assets - collectively known as your estate - are distributed to your preferred beneficiaries after you die, you must remember to specifically include all of them in your will. It’s easy enough to remember to include your most obviously valuable assets, such as your money, house or expensive heirlooms; other less tangible assets are easier to forget about, such as your bank accounts, shares and premium bonds. Additionally, it’s common to neglect to include any stipulations about your digital assets and online accounts - for example, whether you want your social media profiles to be deleted after you are gone.

10. Forgetting to write a will at all

regularly after major changes in your life circumstances, it can lead to the will being incomplete, or even invalidating it completely. For example, if you get married or enter a new civil partnership, your existing will is automatically revoked and will need to be redone. A divorce, the loss of a family member, the birth of another child or grandchild, or the purchase of a new property may also make it necessary to update the will.

THE MISTAKE:

THE SOLUTION: It is a good idea to periodically review the contents of your will, even without major changes to your circumstances. By doing so, you can make sure it always stays up to date, ensuring that your most current wishes are respected.

8. Altering a will without getting these changes verified THE MISTAKE: When updating a will, the proper procedure must be followed. If your will has already been signed and witnessed, you cannot simply add to or change the text; these new additions will not be considered legally valid, and will be ignored by those responsible for executing the will.

THE SOLUTION:

The most common will-writing mistakes - and how to avoid them

The only way to legally amend a will is to make an official alteration called a ‘codicil’. You can add as many codicils as are needed over time, but each needs to be signed and witnessed in the same way as the main will itself. If you need to make wholesale changes to a will, you may find it easier to simply make an entirely new will to replace the old one.

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9. Making a DIY will THE MISTAKE: Many people try to write their own wills without consulting a solicitor, but doing so creates numerous risks. When a person writing a will has no legal expertise, it is much more likely that small errors, omissions or ambiguous phrasing will creep in, potentially resulting in problems executing the will. In the worst cases, these mistakes can render a DIY will entirely invalid.

THE SOLUTION: It is always best to seek professional advice on how to properly write your will. Wills are complex legal documents that must be written and phrased according to specific rules in order to be comprehensive and binding, and by getting legal guidance, you can avoid significant stress for you and your family.

Simply failing to write a will is the most serious mistake of all. If you die without a will, your estate will be distributed according to intestacy rules, meaning your family will have no control over how your assets are split up. Beneficiaries will be chosen according to strict rules that may not reflect your wishes, with the closest blood relations taking priority and many other loved ones potentially being left with nothing. Dying intestate may also lead to family disputes over inheritance, or to the government claiming a significant share of your estate in tax.

THE SOLUTION: You should look to create a binding, detailed and comprehensive will as early as possible, working with training solicitors, and make sure this document is regularly reviewed to reflect your life circumstances. Only by doing so can you gain the peace of mind you are looking for as you enter your latter years, and make sure your family’s needs will always be looked after, even when you are no longer around n

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WE’VE GOT THE OPPORTUNITIES. ALL WE NEED IS YOU.

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VOLUNTEER WITH YOUR LOCAL SSAFA TEAM We need your skills at SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity to continue making a lasting difference to the lives of serving personnel, veterans and their families. Find out more about a volunteering role that will value your talents visit: ssafa.org.uk/volunteer Registered as a charity in England and Wales Number 210760 in Scotland Number SC038056 and in Republic of Ireland Number 20202001. Est. 1885. S604.1220

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Lower Winstone Farm Wroxall Isle of Wight PO38 3AA

01983 852693 www.iowdonkeysanctuary.org

HELP OUR DONKEYS Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

There will always be old, unwanted, neglected and sometimes abused donkeys in need of a home. Here at the sanctuary we have over 90 such donkeys in our care. Their lives really do depend on us. Large or small a legacy, donation or 'in memoriam' gift will make a big difference and help us to continue our work. Thank you. A Charity registered with the Charity Commission for England & Wales. Charity Number 1159886

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Charity N E W S BRANSBY HORSES,

YOU'VE GOT THE SKILLS. WE'VE GOT THE OPPORTUNITIES. ALL WE NEED IS YOU TO VOLUNTEER

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is seeking volunteers for a variety of rewarding roles to help support the local Armed Forces community. SSAFA provides financial, practical, and emotional support for serving personnel, veterans, and military families across the UK and worldwide. All backgrounds and experiences are welcomed to volunteer, and a military background is not essential. SSAFA promotes inclusivity and diversity and would encourage anyone to consider volunteering for the opportunity to inspire and guide others with the wisdom and perspective you have in life. The volunteer roles are varied, flexible and very rewarding, giving back to those that have served. Previous experience is not necessary as training will be provided.

one of the UK’s largest equine welfare and rescue charities, have faced their most challenging year to-date. Following recent Government guidance, the charity has closed their doors once again to the public until 1st April 2021; however, their dedicated teams have continued to work hard for equines in need through what is proving to be the most challenging time in their 52-year history. The charity relies solely on public support to help them care for the hundreds of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules across their two sites in Lincolnshire, and fund their vital rescue and welfare work across the UK. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become evident that the demand for animal welfare charities, such as Bransby Horses, are on the rise. This could be due to many different factors such as; owner’s ill health and financial hardship, through to increased concerns for equine welfare. In 2020 alone, 96 equines were rescued from bad conditions or were willingly signed over to Bransby Horses. The cost of caring for an equine is an average of £30 per day and the charity has over 300 equines in their care. With this in mind the charity needs your support now, more than ever, to continue the life changing work they do. There are many ways to support the charity from donating, fundraising and purchasing products via the online shop, to leaving a gift in your Will. To find out more, please contact us on 01427 788 464 or visit BransbyHorses.co.uk

Retired BT Manager, Eric Smith, is Chairman of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan branch of SSAFA. Though he does not have direct experience of being in the military, he was inspired to join because of his son who served in the Territorial Army. “I'm very proud of the work that SSAFA does. It's just the satisfaction of knowing you're doing something worthwhile instead of twiddling your thumbs or looking for your next holiday. You're doing something useful. Once you've given up work, it can be difficult to get a focus. But this is a wonderful focus, because you're doing good in the world, and that's quite something these days, knowing you've helped people. That's the real key, for me. “Anyone thinking about volunteering for SSAFA, give it a try. There are different roles you can do which will suit you and your lifestyle, so I would always say go for it.”

ROBBIE THE ROBIN receives

urgent medical treatment and is released back into the wild

At Tiggywinkles, they are dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating British wildlife. They are open 24hrs a day, 7 days a week to help any wild animal in need and their Everyone who offers their time to volunteer with SSAFA makes a huge difference. service is free of charge. They rely on donations to provide their life-saving care for patients like Robbie the robin, who arrived in their care under unusual circumstances! If you are interested in volunteering for SSAFA, please visit: www.ssafa.org.uk/volunteer As the World’s leading teaching wildlife hospital, they have lots of students on site and one of their Level Two Animal Care students found Robbie on the pathway of their grounds. She immediately realised he needed help as he was lying flat They receive no government funding, so the Wild Futures rescues and offers sanctuary to and couldn’t fly. She rushed him into triage and their duty nurse generosity of those that remember Wild Futures monkeys who have suffered abuse and neglect. quickly assessed his condition. is essential to enable them to continue their work. They are dedicated to protecting primates Sadly, Robbie was suffering from temporary ataxia – the loss of A legacy can be the gift of a life worth living and and their habitats worldwide – primates are coordination and control of movement – and the team suspected a wild and safe future for all. endangered due to climate change, habitat he had sustained head trauma. To treat his symptoms, their vet destruction and the bush-meat and pet trades. Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on so put Robbie on a short course of antibiotics and pain relief. many people, charities, and organisations For some species, it is too late. The After one week of treatment, Robbie was once again flying worldwide. Wild Futures are facing their future of all that remains lies in our around his cage and was ready for release. hardest couple of years in their history hands, so leaving a legacy to Wild They were so happy that they could help this beautiful bird and are appealing for help to see Futures is the gift of life and back to the wild and although they never want any wild animal them through this time. If you would a future for primates and our to find itself in trouble, it is nice to think that they know where like to know more about them, and wonderful planet. to come, should they ever need help! Their doors are always their Covid-19 emergency appeal, Wild Futures’ holistic approach open to any wild animal in need, even walk-ins! To help them please visit www.wildfutures.org/ makes them unique – providing care for patients like Robbie, please consider donating. They covid-19-emergency-appeal. sanctuary to rescued monkeys, Thank you receive no government or lottery funding, so they need your supporting projects overseas, help – every penny helps Tiggywinkles help them! For more information call 01503 262532, campaigning for primate welfare, email fundraising@wildfutures.org or visit the www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk educating to protect primates worldwide and website at www.wildfutures.org promoting a sustainability and ethical ethos. 29

Charity News

Help protect primates and their habitats

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Charity N E W S

Blood pressure and Know Your Numbers!

High blood pressure is called the silent killer – that’s because it rarely has any symptoms, but it causes strokes and heart attacks. Six million people in the UK have undiagnosed high blood pressure– that means they don’t know they have it. They only find out it’s too high if they take a blood pressure test or worse, when they have a heart attack or a stroke. But the good news is that high blood pressure is usually preventable which is why knowing your numbers, by having a blood pressure test, could save your life!

It’s quick, simple, and painless. You can go along to your GP; practice nurse or pharmacist, or you can do it yourself with a home monitor. Home monitors can actually give you more accurate results than in clinic, and are available widely for about £25 from pharmacies or online. Choose a monitor with an arm cuff that says it has been ‘clinically validated’, so you know it’s trustworthy. Here’s how to get an accurate reading: • Avoid tobacco, alcohol, exercise, and caffeine a half hour before you take a reading. • Sit in a quiet place with arm resting at chest height, back supported and feet flat on the floor.

Project2:Layout 1 17/4/13 12:51 Page 1 Project2:Layout 17/4/13 12:51 Page 1 on the upper arm and inflate it. • Position 1 the cuff at heart level, against bare skin

It’s that simple! We have a range of resources created by blood pressure specialists to help you check your blood pressure at home at www.bloodpressureuk.org

Catastrophes Cat Rescue

Raising funds for a new Treatment, Recovery and Rehabilitation Centre. For cats with no or little hope Catastrophes Cat Rescue provides a lifeline that they so desperately need. Many of the cats have been abandoned, ill treated and many are simply feral and too difficult for other sanctuaries to take on board. Whatever their special needs, Liz Varney and the team at Catastrophes never turn a cat away whatever their circumstances or how difficult they appear. The charities mantra is that every cat deserves a chance. Cats are given the chance to live out their lives in a peaceful country cottage environment or rehomed if possible. For cats who have no one the charity is in Liz’s words ‘their someone’ working to meet the needs of all cats in the charities care. Of course many of the cats come with enormous health problems and making sure that they receive proper vet care is at the very top of the charity’s aims. They are currently in the process of a campaign to raise £80,000 to build a Treatment, Recovery & Rehabilitation facility. This centre is vital to meet the needs of cats in care. Many come in with health problems, dental issues are often diagnosed and in particular the feral cats who have had no level of care in their lifetime. Liz believes that neutering is only the first step and wants to make sure that every cat has a clean bill of health. Liz believes that the Recovery & Rehabilitation centre offers an opportunity to facilitate Veterinary professionals to be proactive with the work of the charity. For further details of how you can help the charity Contact Liz Varney 01435 83021 mobile 07912 113392 Email lizzie@catastrophescats.org website www.catastrophescats.org

CATASTROPHES CAT atastrophes Cat Rescue CATASTROPHES CAT RESCUE RESCUE

home environment with es Cat RescueOver was set through our helped an theup years we have increasing number of the catsfreedom of the country Over the years we in have helped angarden increasing number of cats that surrounds the sanctuary. nt in animal welfare campaigning the and kittens in distress, by taking them into our care and finding and kittens in distress, by taking them into our care and finding s we became established and our “no-kill” good homes for dramatically. them. The cats we inwith have often been Ourtake work cats involves spaying and neutering ame known ourgood workhomes increased for them. The cats we take in haveferal often been rquay Torquay abandoned or badly treated, some are simply strays who have colonies and giving any necessary veterinary e cats have been abandoned or are treated, simply somecomplete abandoned or badly are simply strays who have Feralhome. cats are returned to their site of capture a new home because never of a change in people’s had the chance of a treatment. proper caring never had the chance of a proper caring home. if long-term food shelter can be provided. If not, ces. Some have been ill treated. They arecat that is in need and weand Our aim is to help any believe Our aim is to help any cat that is in need and we believe they are relocated to a suitable farm or country home of love and care. that every cat deserves the chance of a good home. or haveof a home life with us with complete freedom that every cat deserves the chance a goodforhome. once they have settled in. as always been to help any cat regardless of We do not believe in putting animals to sleep unnecessarily rament or behaviour be in they wild animals We doproblems, not believe putting to sleep unnecessarily We believe cat deserves encourage sterilisation as aevery vital part of pet a chance to have a safe, onsequently weand tendwe to actively get desperate calls for and we actively encourage sterilisation as apeaceful vital partplace of pet caring and to live and enjoy the rest of derly, feral and ‘difficult’ to re-home cats. In ownership. Please remember us in your will. Your donation ownership. Please remember us in your will. Your donation their lives. Its surprising how often the most seemingly eet these needs or welegacy have had become a willtohelp our work for the animals and save lives. unfriendly called ‘spiteful’ cat that arrives hissing, or legacy help our work for the animalsand andsosave lives. as well as a cat rescue andwill re-homing Visitors welcome byspitting appointment and lashing out, or has the most difficult and n. The cats in our care are given a high Contact Liz Varney Contact Liz Varney anti-social habits and behaviour, can change with love, veterinary care and we strongly believe care and lots of patience. Catastrophes believe that and neutering as a responsible part of pet life saved is worth the effort it takes and with your The catschoice that are difficult•toGreat re-home facilities areGreatevery Great oice • facilities Moon Bakersmore Lane, cats in need will have a bright future. MoonCottage, Cottage,support Bakers Lane, hance to live out their daysHalf inHalf a peaceful

llehotel smallwith hotelawith big heart a big and heart and ew... big view... in the in heart the of heart Torquay of Torquay Catastrophes Cat Rescue Rescue Catastrophes Catastrophes Cat Cat Rescue

HalfHeathfield, Moon Lane, Great ertainment entertainment • Great value • Cottage, Great value Dallington, EastBakers Sussex TN21 9JS

Charity News

Dallington, Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 9JS Catastrophes Cat Rescue Dallington, Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 9JS Tel: 01435 830212 07912 113392 Tel: 01435 830212Mobile: Fax:Contact 01825 768012 mes...guaranteed eat times...guaranteed For further information: Liz Varney Tel: 01435 830212 Fax: 01825 768012 Email: lizzie@catastrophescats.org Email:Bakers lizzie@internationalanimalrescue.org Half Moon Cottage, Lane, Dallington, Heathfield, East Sussex, TN21 9JS Email: lizzie@internationalanimalrescue.org Registered Charity Number: 1017304 00500 803 400500 Tel. 01435 830212, FaxWe’re 01825 768012, Email: lizzie@catastrophescats.org Registered Charity Number: 1017304 social, join usWe’re on social, join us on Registered Charity Number: 1017304 uk w.tlh.co.uk sales@tlh.co.uk sales@tlh.co.uk

eisure elgrave Resort, Rd, Torquay, Belgrave TQ2 Rd,5HS Torquay, TQ2 5HS 30

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Retirement Today New Year 2021

Articles inside

Journaling as a Therapy During the Current Pandemic

Rustic Romantic

Charity News

Footloose in Oxford and York

Recipes

Learning in Retirement

Update

Money and Budgeting